The Keystone XL pipeline received the support - albeit slim - by the Nebraska Public Service Commission thanks to a 3-2 vote to approve the TransCanada application.
The commission approved the “mainline alternative” route that will go through Antelope County. Crystal Rhoades was the lone commissioner to speak before the official vote and made her stand clear by citing six reasons as why she was about to vote no. Rhoades and Mary Ridder voted against the application while Tim Schram, Frank Landis and Rod Johnston all vote in favor. The application had three possible routes, including the “preferred” through Boyd, Holt and Antelope counties. The second routes or “mainline alternative” and takes a different path out of Antelope County to eventually follow the route of the existing Keystone pipelines. The third route called the “Sandhills alternative,” would cross 13 counties in central Nebraska. It would go through 13 counties, but not Antelope. It would still go through Holt County. A Neligh family is asking the public's help in locating their missing daughter.
The family of Sydney Loofe has been unable to contact her since Wednesday evening. They believe her phone is either turned off or out of battery, so it is not recommended to try contacting her through that means. Sydney was last possibly around the Wilber area. She was scheduled to go on a date but has not been heard from since. If you have any information on her whereabouts, contact George or Susie Loofe at 402-340-2011 or the Lincoln Police Department at 402-441-7204. The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that Invest Nebraska has been awarded a $300,000 grant to focus on AgTech in Nebraska through the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) program. Invest Nebraska, a public-private partnership with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, is a major player in the advancement of high-growth businesses across the state
“The Trump Administration is committed to strengthening U.S. production and exports, which are essential to our nation’s economic growth,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “These projects will enable entrepreneurs in communities across the United States to start new businesses, manufacture innovative products, and export them throughout the world – increasing America’s global competitiveness.” Under the award Invest Nebraska, in coordination with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the University of Nebraska, and the private sector, will lead the efforts to develop an AgTech Cluster Development Plan, conduct statewide education and outreach efforts with potential AgTech investors, and increase deal flow activity by providing operational assistance to Nebraska’s AgTech entrepreneurs and innovators. The Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE), housed within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), leads the i6 Regional Innovation Strategies Program to spur innovation capacity-building activities in regions across the nation. The program is authorized through the America COMPETES reauthorization Act of 2010, and has received dedicated appropriations since FY2014. Forty-two organizations — including nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and entrepreneurship-focused organizations from 28 states received over $17 million to create and expand cluster-focused proof-of-concept and commercialization programs, and early-stage seed capital funds through the i6 program. “We are extremely honored to be the first organization in Nebraska to receive an award under the EDA’s i6 Program,” said Dan Hoffman, CEO of Invest Nebraska.” “Nebraska ranks 4th in the nation for total agricultural cash receipts and ranked 3rd in the nation for growth in technology jobs in 2015. Integrating more technology into agriculture can lead to significant AgTech startups in the state.” This fourth cohort of Regional Innovation Strategies awardees expands the RIS portfolio to eight new states and continues to build vibrant regional entrepreneurial economies. The awardees were selected from a pool of more than 217 applicants. To learn more about the Regional Innovation Strategies program and the awardee projects, visit eda.gov and the FAQs. About Invest Nebraska Invest Nebraska is a statewide public-private partnership funded by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to grow the state’s economy by supporting high-growth, early-stage companies in Nebraska. Invest Nebraska works directly with entrepreneurs, researchers and businesses to help commercialize their technologies, launch and grow new businesses, and access needed capital. About the Nebraska Department of Economic Development Since 2011, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development has provided grants and seed capital to the state’s entrepreneurs and innovators through the Business Innovation Act program. This program has resulted in over $90 million of private capital invested in participating companies, over 218 direct jobs with an average wage of almost $60,000 and a total annual economic impact of $188.4 million. An Amber Alert has been issued for four children abducted from Omaha.
The Omaha Police Department is looking for the children who were last seen at 4115 S. 37th Street and are believed to be in danger. The children's names are Michayla, Michael, Kaleb and Miley Brummett. Michayla is a 13 old female, with Black hair that was last seen wearing Black Leggings. Michael is a 13 old male, with Black hair that was last seen wearing White Shorts. Kaleb is a 12 old, with Black hair that was last seen wearing Jeans. Miley is a 7 year old, with Black hair that was last seen wearing Purple pants, White short-sleeve shirt. The child may be in the company of #1. Michael Brummett, W/M, DOB 02/03/1970, 5 ft 5 in, 200 lbs. #2. Brenda Brummett - W/F, DOB 07/19/1983, 5 ft 9 in, 150 lbs.. They may be traveling in a Unknown year, White Chevy Cavalier (style) 4dr, Nebraska plates, unknown balance - Rust spot on drivers side wheel well, and a dent on the drivers side trunk area. That was last seen heading from 4115 S. 37th Street Omaha at high rate of speed, direction of travel unknown. If you have any information on the whereabouts of these children, please call 911 or contact Omaha Police Department at 402-444-5636 immediately. An Amber Alert has been issued following a child abduction in eastern Nebraska.
The Omaha Police is looking for a child who was last seen at and is believed to be in danger. The child's name is Driver Smith.He is a 8 old male. The child may be in the company of Michael Westerholm, 9-13-1983. They may be traveling in a Grey 2008 Chevy Malibu NE UZZ 793 that was last seen heading Possibly WB. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Driver Smith, please call 911 or contact Omaha Police at 402-444-5636 immediately. The head of the Nebraska State Patrol was fired today by Gov. Pete Rickets, and several others were removed from duty, at least temporarily.
At a news conference this morning, Ricketts announced he had relieved the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) Colonel Brad Rice of his duties following a review into how use of force investigations are conducted by NSP. “Today, I have relieved State Patrol Colonel Brad Rice of his duties,” said Governor Ricketts. “My decision was based on the initial findings of the review being conducted by my Chief Human Resources Officer. My team will commence a search immediately for the next Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol to lead this agency which is vital to protecting Nebraska’s public safety.” “Over the past week, my review has focused on how recent use of force investigations have been conducted,” said the Governor’s Chief Human Resources Officer Jason Jackson. “This review found interference into the internal investigation process of the State Patrol and violations of internal policies among other concerning issues at the highest levels of the agency’s leadership.” The Governor has named Administrative Services Major Russ Stanczyk, the senior member of the command staff, as Interim Superintendent of the State Patrol effective immediately. At the news conference, Jackson said that in addition to the Governor’s dismissal of the Colonel that two other command staff had been placed on paid administrative leave. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Schwarten is among those being placed on leave. A total of six personnel are being placed on paid administrative leave, including the command staff named above. Jackson has turned over initial findings from his review to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for further investigation. Jackson’s review continues into other matters. Local veterans will be able to receive free dental care thanks to a program put on by Aspen Dental.
On Saturday, June 24, Aspen Dental practices across Nebraska and the United States will open their doors from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to provide free dental care to veterans. Local veterans can call 1-844-AspenHMM to schedule their appointment. Appoints are on a first-come, first-serve basis. The June 24 Day of Service will be Aspen Dental's fourth annual. It is part of Aspen Dental's "Healthy Mouth Movement," a community-giving initiative to deliver free dental care to veterans By Dr. Jim Tenopir NSAA Executive Director Parents of home-school students continue to express the desire for their children to be able to participate in school sports and performing arts. These requests regularly come to the NSAA, but the response we provide is seldom acceptable. We have had many discussions with the NSAA Board of Directors about possible changes in eligibility standards for home-schooled students, including extended discussion at the NSAA Board Retreat last summer and in several monthly Board meetings. I believe that most of the NSAA Board has come to the realization that compromises can be made to the process for home-school students without compromising NSAA eligibility guidelines. the more we have looked at the issue, many of us have come to realize that there are valid reasons to explore opportunities for such students to access NSAA activities. “I have come a long way in seeing the benefits of an open-minded approach to permitting home-school students to participate in high school sports and activities.” That was the paraphrased comments I received from a school administrator during the recent Girls State Basketball Tournament. It is my hope that more and more school administrators can understand the value of possible bylaw changes that might avail participation opportunities to this grouping of students. As most school administrators are aware, this year’s NSAA legislative process has included a fresh look at how home-school students might be able to participate in NSAA sports and performing arts. During my tenure at NSAA, there have been several initiatives proposed to permit home-school students to be able to play basketball, or sing in the school’s choir, or compete in soccer. As one who served 18 years as a school superintendent, I often embraced the NSAA requirement that a student had to be at least a half-time student to be able to participate. Yet, I’ve come to realize that the vast majority of parents of home-school students choose to home school their children got good and reasoned and closely held beliefs. I have come to realize that the home-school option often cannot be interpreted as an anti-public (or private) school initiative. It has been pointed out that it is not easy to try to teach your own children day in and day out. But many parents take this approach of home schooling for many reason — personal reasons they feel very strongly about. The legislation that has successfully navigated the NSAA District Meeting process requires the home-school student to be enrolled in an exempt school that is approved as a Rule 13 NDE school, and it requires the student to be currently enrolled in twenty credit hours of schoolwork or four classes during the current semester; albeit under the proposed legislation only ten credit hours of that schoolwork would be required in the member school — rather than all four classes. Further, in subsequent semesters, when looking back to make sure such students have successfully completed twenty credit hours of schoolwork the immediate preceding semester, at least ten of those twenty credit hours would need to have been earned at the member high school. LB 58 was introduced this year in the Nebraska Legislature. The original language would have been much less restrictive than the NSAA proposal; however, in working with state senators and legislative aides, the language in the NSAA proposal was permitted to be amended into the version of LB 58 that was heard by the Education Committee. LB 58 still sits in committee, awaiting the results of the NSAA legislation at the April 7 Representative Assembly. For the NSAA home-school proposal to pass at Representative Assembly, it will require a 3/5 favorable vote, and since it is an eligibility matter, if it passes Representative Assembly, it would require a favorable referendum vote of our member schools. If the legislative proposal is forwarded to the membership for a referendum vote, I would encourage school administrators to seriously consider the proposed changes. I believe we have been given an opportunity to solve our own issues without interference from the Legislature. I have always held that it is preferable for NSAA issues to remain outside the Capitol walls. I believe this compromise NSAA legislation is an opportunity to provide participation opportunities for more home-school students without unduly compromising NSAA eligibility guidelines. The NSAA proposal represents a change over what has been required in the past, but I believe it is a good consideration going forward. I know that there are administrators in our local schools who would prefer that home-school student should have to attend the member school more than the current four classes. I understand. It would be my hope that all school administrators take an extra look at the NSAA legislative proposal to determine whether a change from the current norm might be effective for home-school students while still maintaining the integrity of our activities programs. President Donald Trump made his first official speech as the leader of the United States on Friday at his inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C.
He started his speech by thanking now-former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama for their help in the transition and their service to the country. He then quickly turned his attention to the core of his speech, the American people. He talked often about wanting to put the citizens in control of more decisions and giving back to the country. "What truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by the people," he said. He made allusions to the various issues plaguing the United States currently, including poverty, empty factories from companies taking their businesses to other nations and crime in various cities. President Trump vowed to bring back jobs from other countries for Americans and to make American industry a focus of his presidency. "From this day forward, it's going to be only America first, America first," he said. "Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families. We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our product, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs." He then turned his attention to rebuilding patriotism across the United States. He stated that, in order to "unlock the mysteries of space, to free the earth from the miseries of disease, and to harness the energies, industries and technologies of tomorrow." To do that, he noted that all citizens must regain their American pride and remember that all Americans are together, no matter whether they are born in Detroit of in small-town Nebraska. "And whether a child is born in the urban sprawl of Detroit or the windswept plains of Nebraska, they look up at the same night sky, they fill their heart with the same dreams and they are infused with the breath of life by the same almighty creator." He made one final declaration, one that he undoubtedly hopes will give Americans hope for the future. "You will never be ignored again. Your voice, your hopes and your dreams will define our American destiny. And your courage and goodness and love will forever guide us along the way," he said. Considering sending a loved one a card by mail? Be aware, postage prices are going up on January 22. According to a press release published by the US Postal Service, in October of last year the United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of price changes for Mailing Services products to take effect on January 22, 2017, following the end of the holiday mailing season. The new prices include a two cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp, returning the price to 49 cents, the price of a Forever stamp before the Postal Service was forced to reduce prices by the PRC as part of the exigent surcharge removal. The last time stamp prices increased was in January 2014. The incoming price increase does not include any price change for Postcards, for letters being mailed to international destinations or for additional ounces for letters. Below is a full list of price changes, as listed by the Pitney Bowes Inc.: Stamp prices have stayed consistent with the average annual rate of inflation since the Postal Service was formed in 1971.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. |